Freshman Year - Week 9 - BuckRogersRTG's Blog

BuckRogersRTG's Blog

Freshman Year - Week 9

Posted on October 3, 2011 at 11:31 PM.

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Practice
The Florida Gators enjoyed a bye in week 8 and got back to work in week 9 to prepare for a match up with their bitter rivals, the Bulldogs from Georgia. Practice was closed to the media, with the Florida coaching staff stating that there was extenuating CPU issues during practice that did not allow for it to be shown. Despite his second half struggles, Buck Rogers' fame is growing around Gainesville and he is on his way to becoming a bit of a Hometown Hero.

Game - Georgia (5-2) vs #18 Florida (5-2)
Fans of both schools piled into a packed house in Jacksonville, FL to watch one of the few remaining rivalry games in the country that is played at a neutral site. Georgia got the ball first and struck first, taking an early 7-0 lead. Buck Rogers would connect on several passes lead the Gators down the field to tie the score with a TD pass over the middle. The Bulldogs came with an all out blitz and Rogers kept his poise and threw the ball just as he was getting hit. After getting the ball back on a punt that went into the endzone, HB Scott Smith busted free and ran the ball 80 yards to pay dirt to give the Gators their first lead of the day at 14-7.

The Gators got the ball back with just over a minute remaining in the half and Rogers was able to connect on several big gains, including a TD pass on a seam route to give Florida a 21-7 halftime lead.

Smith once again gained big yards rushing the ball on the Gators opening drive of the second half. But then an all too familiar scene occurred as Buck Rogers threw a goal line interception. Rogers would throw interceptions on the Gators next 2 drives, including another at the goal line.

The Gators defense was able to hold the Bulldogs to only 7 points off of Rogers 3 interceptions. After the 3rd interception, the Gators defense came up with a sack on 3rd and 10 and a deflected pass on 4th and 10. The Gators were able to run out the clock and escape Jacksonville with a victory.

HB Scott Smith was named player of the game, finishing with 18 carries for 207 yards and 1 TD. Rogers has not fared well in the second half this year. 10 of his 12 interceptions have come in the 3rd or 4th quarter. Rogers did end the game 14/29 for 199 yards with 2 TDs and 3 INTs.

The Gators will host Vanderbilt next week in a must win game if they hope to get back into contention for the SEC Championship Game.

Week 9 Game Highlights: